Adjustable waistband for garments



Filed July 27, 1942 lNvE'N-ron @gij l. YUNS v M/l ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1946 Lyons, Newt-York, Nil?.l Application July 27, 1942,`-seriai N'o. 452,4i3`

1 Claim.

This invention relates to waistband structures as applied to trousers, skirts, and like garments. The invention relates primarily to means for providing approximate adjustment in the size ofr a waistband and to'automatic conforming adjustment to the waist of the wearer, being characterized :by its simplicity of construction, ease of use, and low manufacturing cost.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure incorporating elastic means which may be readily removed when cleaning of the garment bearing the same, is contemplated.

More specifically, this invention contemplates the incorporation of an elastic member in the waistband of a garment, concealing said elastic member therein, providing for ready removal thereof, and including inelastic end portions on said elastic member, the latter being exposed and adapted for selective connection to diiferent parts of the waistband, and thereby aifordingapproximate adjustment of lthe size of said waistband.

'I'he invention incorporates separable fastener means whereby the waistband sizing means are readily removable, said fastener means comprising a hookless fastener to give access to the sizing means and preferably a snap fastener for removably joining the same to the garment.

The objects of the invention will f be more clearly realized from the following description of the invention, said description being founded up-v on the illustrated embodiment which is shownY in the drawing. y

In the drawing: o

Fig. 1 is a rear view of the upper portion of a trouser garment incorporating'features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof as 'taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedY cross-sectional View as taken on the line 3.3 of Fig. 1. y

Referring now to the drawing in greaterdetail, a garment 5 is shown as being provided with a waistband 6g Said waistband is constructed of two plies of fabric with the upper and the lower corresponding edges of the plies being hemmed inwardly toward each other. In the present instance, the waistband 6, preferably at the rear of the garment, is provided with a flap 1 permanently secured to the upper edge of the waistf band as at 8 and separably secured to the lower edgethereof as by means of a slide fastener 9. This flap has one of its edges sandwiched in between one pair of the hems of the waistband I6 with a line of stitching joining said'pair of hems and the interposedlap edge. One of a pair of said'fastener strips is secured to the waistband Vadjacent the other pair of said hems, with a line of stitching joining together said last pair of hems and the slide fastener strip. 'I'he mating slide fastener strip is stitched to the free longitudinal edge of the flap 1. By means of .this structure, said flap'may be readily opened or closed forming, in the latter instance, a channel or pocket I Il. V

According to the invention, the garment is provided with a completely separable waistband sizing member I I. In this instance said member comprises an elastic portion I2 and inelastic end portions I3, the latter being each provided with at least one button-hole I4. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the elastic portion I2, when in position, is vcompletely concealed by the flap 'I being entirely disposed within the pocket I0, whereas the end portions I3 protrudes therebeyond.

The waistband is preferably provided with one element I5 of a snap fastenerand the elastic` portion is provided with a cooperating portion I 6 whereby the sizing element may be separably attached to .the garment as can be well understood.

The mentioned button-holes I 4` are arranged for selective engagement with buttons lI'I and I8 sewed to the waistband as shown. A reversal of the selective engagement means may be employed,

` the buttons being provided on the sizing memberand the button-holes on lthe waistband. It is understood that other means may be substituted.y

The above-described garment is admirably suited to the purposes of the invention. By proper selective engagement of the respective buttons I1 or I8, by the sizing member, the waistband may be approximately sized. When the garment is worn, the elastic portion is stretched causing .the waistband to yieldingly hug the waist of the wearer and accommodate its size to his or her Y movements. Y f

The folds shown in Fig. l will, wholly or in part, be eliminated when the'garment is worn.

The eflicacy of the invention is increased by the ease with which the sizing member may be removed so the garment may be .cleaned without Y subjecting the elastic to the harmful effects of v that operation. By merely raising the flap 'l and separating the fastener elements I5 and I6, said sizing member is made readily accessible.'

Thus there is provided simple and effective means for obtaining a properly-fitting garment which will ease tothe movements of Vthe wearer and maintain itsy proper position on the fbody. The appearance presented by the garment is fattractive and neat, and Suspenders, belts, etc. are

other, a flap having one of its edges sandwiched Y in between one pair of said hems, a line of stitching joining said pair of hems and the interposed flap'edge, a slide fastener strip secured totthe waistband adjacent the other pairof said hems and a line of stitching joining together said last pair of hems, the mating slide fastener strip being stitched to the free longitudinal edge of said flap, said flap together with the underlying portion of the waistband forming a pocket, a garment-sizing member disposed within said pocket, said member having inelastic end portions and an elastic medial portion, said slide fastener serving for detachably securing the free longitudinal edge of the flap to the waistband to aord access to said elastic portion,- asnapfastener for removably securing the medial portion of said garment-sizing member to said waistband within .the pocket and cooperative selective fastener means for attaching to the waistband the inelastic ends of the garment-sizing member.

ISIDORE LYONS. 

